Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Concern for jobs at Guinness company – Tóibín

Diageo, the owner of one of Ireland’s most important and iconic brands ‘Guinness’ has gone through a number of years of restructuring, i.e. shedding jobs. Many of these job losses have happened abroad. However in June 2009, 107 jobs were cut in Ireland by the 2,000-strong employer.

There is a strong view within the market that the business may turn again to its operations in Ireland in its search for the next round of job losses.

Spokesperson for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Deputy Tóibín has called on the government to investigate the validity of this belief as soon as possible.

He said:

“Guinness is one of Ireland’s most iconic brands. It has been operating in Ireland for over 250 years and much of its marketing is based upon its Irish heritage. Its production in Ireland is extremely important in manufacturing and jobs terms.

“If what I am hearing from the industry is true and the company is about to haemorrhage Irish manufacturing jobs then the government needs to step in and negotiate on behalf of the employees. For every job that is lost at Diageo there will be a cost to the exchequer of €20,000, not to mention the major financial cost and disruption that will affect each employee.

“The government have talked up their plans to defend and promote Irish brands. Now is the time to act and ensure that these jobs are sustainable, vis a vis those at other international locations”.